qosphotos

McCaig was a bit odd, if I remember correctly, he disappeared and then some time later turned up in a Notts County top on the internet. I don't think he was anywhere inbetween, later went to Livingston on trial and then to Albion Rovers. Used to keep tabs on former player on the old OS http://qosarchive.co.uk/tracker.htm

Maybe missing one who went to Boston United - ____/_____ 2001

4=John McCaig

Photo taken by Fraser Johnstone when he saw that his 'dabbing' Mam was just about to be cleaned out by the ball. Fortunately she managed to get out of the way just in time for the poor guy behind her to take the full force of the ball into his Tomato soup. Have spent the last day explaining what a Dab is to Donna Johnstone. My involvement was purely shouting 'are you okay Donna'. All credit to Fraser Johnstone for getting this shot from the other side of the pitch.

Again from www.qosarchive.co.uk Queens' youngsters off to Ireland 14th July 2004 Queens' Under-15 squad set off this weekend for an experience of a lifetime when they cross the Irish Sea to take part in the Northern Ireland Milk Cup. Said Gordon Hyslop who was involved in the negotiations "It all came about quite suddenly when Tanzania were unable to get visas in time and had to withdraw. With Queens having a good record of their own for organising youth tournaments we were invited to take their place and it was too good an opportunity to miss. Normally such a trip would cost in the region of £5000 but thanks to the help of our Irish hosts who are meeting costs at their end, only the ferry crossings will need to be paid for and discounts have already been arranged for them". He added "It's the biggest and most prestigious tournament of its kind in the world and will be covered by Ulster TV and national radio. So it's a great honour for the club to be asked to take part" Queens will be competing in the Junior section for Under 15s which includes no fewer than 24 teams and they will play five matches kicking off at mid-day on Monday when they meet County Londonderry in Coleraine. Their base will be the University of Ulster in Coleraine itself and in charge of the party will be Fred Smith who will be assisted by Paul McGinlay, Neil Muirhead, George Paterson and Tom Leighfield. So big is this tournament that in the Premiership Section for Under 17s are Ajax, Bayern Munich and Manchester United plus most of the other clubs in the English Premiership. And in the International Elite group (for Under 19s) Brazil, Sweden, U.S.A., Canada and New Zealand are all represented.

2005/06 Milk Cup Squad Back row left to right: N Torriani, E Lindsey, M Smith, N Higgins, L Walker, R Hyslop, I Cairnie, D Hanley, D Rae Front row left to right: T Hanley (Coach), R Adamson, B McGauchie, P Leighfield, A Muirhead, N Muirhead (Coach), R Steele, J Nixon, M McGinley, D Carmichael, G Hyslop (Coach) Missing from picture: G Mitchell and D Rice, also coaches F Smith and D McCann From www.qosarchive.co.uk

It's all about goals, Nicky Clark, Tam Bryce MKII, Stephen Dobbie then Andy Thomson followed closely by Rowan Alexander (who probably dropped a few places due to a personal meeting back in 1998 where I rapidly assessed him as a Grade 1 Arse). I didn't witness anybody pre-1975 but from then on I've seen them all so it's a bit unfair on Basher Houliston, Hughie Gallagher et al. Tommy O'Hara was a hero as was Allan Ball - so much like Lee Robinson in many ways - Bobby Parker was quality and kept Kevin Heatherington on the right track and Chris Balderston was a superb bloke who was happy for some daft teenagers from Annan to sit beside him and talk about Queens all the way from Dumfries to Annan as he made his way home to Dalston on the train - sad day when he passed away. Peter Dickson too was a legend, signing from Albion Rovers and saving us almost single handedly from relegation then becoming a right back who if booked once you could almost guarantee he would be seeing a red next. Then there are the ones who should have made it but didn't, Ian Dick immediately springs to mind, he should have been a star, then the others that got there through hard work and not much talent - Graeme Robertson for one. At the end of the day though the game is about scoring goals so the ones who score most will always take the headlines so that is why Nicky Clark should be given a proper respectful Palmerston welcome when or if he takes the field when the Weegies turn up in a couple of weeks. Look back at the photos on the OS from last season and in particular the last home game where Nicky is seen grabbing the ball and racing back up the park after netting at 2-1 down with minutes to go. The lad has the drive and desire to go all the way and I for one will be acknowledging him as the best I have seen.